Opinion | Editorials - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Turn of Phrase: Bush’s shift on Iraq timetable shows promise

By Alligator Editorial Staff | July 21, 2008

Last week, in what appears to be a momentous and welcome shift, the Bush administration announced that it would be working with the Iraqi government to develop a "general time horizon" for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. According to White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have reached a verbal accord on the issue of setting what might otherwise be called a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq. But don't make the mistake of confusing the terms "timetable" and "general time horizon."

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By Alligator Editorial Staff | July 16, 2008

"Oh, we're halfway there…" Three weeks, ladies and gentlemen. That's all that's left of summer B. Soon some of us will be graduating and making our way out into the real world. Or, failing that, crashing on our parents' couches for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, considering the current state of the economy, the latter is looking increasingly likely. More on that later.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Forgotten War: Troops pay for leaders’ mistakes in Afghanistan

July 14, 2008

As violence in Iraq has decreased significantly over the past several months, President Bush and Sen. John McCain have been quick to attribute the sharp decline in U.S. military and Iraqi civilian casualties to their troop-surge strategy and claim that victory in the desert quagmire is now within reach.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Inefficient biofuels need closer look

July 9, 2008

BRANDON SACK, Speaking Out

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Unbelievable: Obama’s flip flops fly in the face of change

July 7, 2008

As the economy worsens and the war in Iraq drags on, it's no wonder that almost 80 percent of Americans believe we're heading down the "wrong track."

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

July 2, 2008

Fire up the grill, and light up the sparklers and fireworks. It's time to celebrate America's birthday! Independence Day provides Americans young and old, of all races and religions, backgrounds and regions, the opportunity to do what we excel at: enjoying copious amounts of red meat and alcoholic beverages and, of course, blowing stuff up. But before you get started on those burgers, brews and combustibles, we at the Department of Darts and Laurels offer you this week's red, white and blue edition of …

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Risky Business: Offshore drilling threatens Fla. ecosystem, economy

June 30, 2008

It is nearly impossible to find a silver lining in $4-a-gallon gasoline. But if one is to be found, it is in the fact that skyrocketing prices at the pump â€" and the resulting anger and discontent felt by Americans from sea to shining sea â€" are forcing our politicians to finally have a much needed debate on what should be done to solve the nation's dependency on foreign oil.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Dart & Laurels

June 18, 2008

Summer break is within sight, and it comes not a moment too soon. We at the Department of Darts and Laurels have been waiting with baited breath for the chance to recharge our collective batteries with a week of rest and relaxation. However you choose to spend your downtime next week, we hope you will play it safe. With that said, it's time for the last-of-summer-A edition of …

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Wrong Reform: College system shake–up threatens quality

June 16, 2008

Last week marked the dawn of a new era for Florida's higher education system. Whether it represents a breakthrough or another example of political expedience, grandstanding and shortsightedness remains an open question.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

June 11, 2008

This week, the Sunshine State hasn't exactly been living up to its moniker. Gainesville's newfound preoccupation with precipitation has left us at the Department of Darts and Laurels running for cover. Don't get us wrong, we're all about "Singin' in the Rain" when the opportunity presents itself, but the ominous dark clouds and violent thunder storms of these past couple of days have left us singing "Gimme Shelter" instead. We hope you've been able to keep dry these last few days, but if not, don't fret, 'cause there's always "Sunshine After the Rain." But just in case this somber weather has got you down, we have a brand new, waterproof edition of Darts and Laurels for your enjoyment. Now "Who Do You Love?"

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Absent Minded: Faculty should embrace textbook savings law

By EDITORIAL BOARD | June 9, 2008

The true measure of any college's or university's success is found in the quality and dedication of its faculty members. While a prescient administration and an intellectually eager and engaged student body are also essential elements of a successful institution of higher learning, without committed professors who challenge us academically and inculcate a life-long love of learning, the university system fails.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By Alligator Editorial Board | June 4, 2008

Hurricane season is now upon us. June 1 marked the beginning of what experts predict will be an active storm season, with an estimated 15 named hurricanes on the horizon and at least one major storm in store for the Eastern United States. We at the Department of Darts and Laurels take hurricane season and hurricanes seriously, and we advise you to do the same. We strongly recommend that you stock up on those hurricane-survival essentials. You know, flashlights, bottled water, canned goods, transistor radios and, of course, drink mixers 'cause what's a hurricane (the storm) without a hurricane (the drink)?

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Mad Money: Surplus funds raise serious questions

By EDITORIAL BOARD | June 2, 2008

Over the past couple of weeks, we have dedicated copious editorial real estate to defending President Bernie Machen's proposed $47 million budget cuts as a necessary response to the Florida Legislature's abysmal failure to fully fund the state's university system. It now appears that we have been duped.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

May 28, 2008

The boys and girls of summer are hitting their (home run) strides, and we at the Department of Darts and Laurels couldn't be more pumped. The Gators softball team has earned its first-ever Women's College World Series birth, the upstart Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays are the surprising leaders of their respective divisions in the big leagues, and we're keeping our fingers crossed for the Gators baseball team as it looks to put a hurting on FSU in the Tallahassee Regional this weekend for the chance to steal their way into the College World Series.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Call It Quits: Clinton’s RFK comments show need to exit race

May 26, 2008

Many observers of this year's historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination have been wondering out loud why Sen. Hillary Clinton hasn't dropped out of the race yet. Sen. Barack Obama has won more states and more pledged delegates, and now he has secured the endorsement of more superdelegates than Clinton.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

May 21, 2008

Is it just us, or are these nascent summer days disappearing more quickly than Hillary Clinton's chances of being the Democratic nominee for president?

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Marital Bliss: California ruling sets example worth following

May 19, 2008

Last week, the California Supreme Court handed down a historic ruling regarding one of the most divisive issues of our time: gay marriage.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

May 14, 2008

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, summer has finally arrived. The Legislature has concluded one of the most painful and pointless sessions in recent memory, Major League Baseball is in full swing, the Sunshine State's signature sweltering temperatures are starting to return, and for many of us here in the Gator Nation, it's back-to-school as a new semester presents us with new opportunities to engage in one of our favorite pastimes: procrastination. As we venture into summer '08, however, we at the Department of Darts and Laurels won't waste any time presenting to you, our loyal readers, a hot and fresh, first-of-the-summer-edition of…

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Short Changed: Legislature fails to address pressing issues

May 12, 2008

As the spring term was winding down here at UF and at other institutions of higher learning around the state, so too was the 2008 legislative session in Tallahassee. Last week, the Florida Legislature closed shop after three months of supposedly working toward solutions to the many serious problems facing our state.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

So long, Alligator; thanks for everything

By Chad Smith | Apr. 22, 2008

The Alligator's sports editor, Mike McCall, and I were talking about our long-term career goals recently, and we have come to simple terms about what would validate our lives' work.